Born in Montréal in 1929, Rosaire Corbin completed his classical education at the Séminaire de Sainte-Thérèse-de-Blainville and went on to study theology at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1954 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Montreal in 1958. His particular fields of interest were botany and marine biology.

As a secular priest in the Montreal diocese, his ministry involved primarily the world of education. He taught at Collège Saint-Paul, then at CÉGEP Bois-de-Boulogne, and later, for a few years, worked simultaneously as CÉGEP science dean and educational advisor within Québec’s college network. He also played a role in successfully organising the Montreal Olympic Games, helping to plan the operations of the Olympic Village.

“Rosaire”, as everyone called the Abbot, was an exemplary biologist and naturalist. His priesthood mission was to educate young minds and promote natural sciences. Many young people were enriched by his teaching at Camp Saint-Paul and at the Centre écologique de Port-au-Saumon, which he directed from 1985 to 2000.

Abbot Rosaire Corbin is recognised throughout Québec for his significant contribution to teaching understanding and respect for nature, notably by promoting camps where young people could admire nature first hand. Through his involvement in the coalition for the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park and as the first president of the Coordinating Committee, he also helped to establish and enhance this project that he considered to be unique, grandiose and destined to become a source of collective pride.